a,
takes Monte Corvo; and within a week is master of the Douro, in that
part, 'Will be at Oporto directly!' shriek all the Wine people (no
resistance anywhere, except by peasants organized by English Officers in
some parts); upon which Seventy-fours were sent.

"2. Division Second of the 42,000 came by Beira Country, between Tagus
and Douro, by Tras-os-Montes; and laid siege to a place called Almeida
[northwest some 20 odd miles from CUIDAD RODRIGO, a name once known to
veterans of us still living], which Buckeburg had tried to repair into
strength, and furnish with a garrison. Garrison defended itself well;
but could not be relieved;--had to surrender, August 25th: whereby
it seems the Tagus is now theirs! All the more, as Division Three is
likewise got across from Estremadura, invading Alemtejo: what is to keep
these Two from falling on Lisbon together?

"3. Against this, Buckeburg does find a recipe. Despatches Brigadier
Burgoyne with an English party upon a Town called Valencia d'Alcantara
[not Alcantara Proper, but Valencia of ditto, not very far from
Badajoz], where the vanguard of this Third Division is, and their
principal Magazine. Burgoyne and his English did perfectly: broke into
the place, stormed it sword in hand (August 27th); kept the Magazine and
it, though 'the sixteen Portuguese Battalions' could not possibly get up
in time. In manner following (say the Old Newspapers):--

"'The garrison of Almeida, before which place the whole Spanish Army had
been assembled, surrendered to the Spaniards on the 25th [August 25th,
as we have just heard], having capitulated on condition of not serving
against Spain for six months.

"'As a counterbalance to this advantage, the Count de Lippe caused
Valencia d'Alcantara to be attacked, sword in hand, by the British
troops; who carried it, after an obstinate resistance. The loss of the
British troops, who had the principal share in this affair, is
luckily but inconsiderable: and consists in Lieutenant Burk of Colonel
Frederick's, one sergeant and three privates killed; two sergeants, one
drummer, 18 privates wounded; 10 horses killed and 2 wounded [loss not
at all considerable, in a War of such dimensions!]. The British troops
behaved upon this occasion with as much generosity as courage; and it
deserves admiration, that, in an affair of this kind, the town and
the inhabitants suffered very little; which is owing to the good order
Brigadier Burgoyne kept up even in the